A place to find news, research and discussion on economic issues related to the impact of globalisation on the environment

Thursday, November 30, 2006

"Eco-Freaks": The 2% fight back

Given the relatively green/greenybrown nature of this blog it is always good to provide a little balance.

The issue however harks back to a post Matt wrote about media balance. Journalists often feel the need to put both sides of an argument to "balance" their piece even if, as the CEO of Shell said in a post 3 or so back, 98% of scientists believe in one thing.

The question, therefore, is how much attention should the 2% get? Of course this very post falls into the same trap.

However, in this case the 2% are showing quite clearly why they are the 2%. The review of this book has to be read to be believed. I also include a link to the original "green" review that cannot be posted here due to its rather "industrial" nature.

Book Description

Tree-huggers may actually be squeezing the life out of the environment.

In book that is alternately alarming, enlightening, ironic, and entertaining, award-winning journalist John Berlau explores the many ways that shortsighted environmentalism actually endangers trees, wildlife, and people. In chapter after chapter, Berlau debunks myths and libels about:

global warming and climate change the dangers of pesticides like DDT trees and pollution fuel economy and the auto industry the threat posed by asbestos the lifesaving role of dams and levees plans to "rewild" AmericaMother Nature is not a gentle person, and Berlau's pointed reporting reveals the very real dangers to people and their environments when Eco-Freaks prevent us from restraining her.

"Berlau makes a powerful case. . . . Thinking environmentalists who read this book will be forced to revisit at least some of their most deeply held beliefs."-Joel Himelfarb, Washington Times

"Berlau says a lot of things that are not generally known that needed to be said."-Bruce N. Ames, recipient, National Medal of Science, 1998

Save the Planet . . . and Ourselves

In Eco-Freaks, award-winning journalist John Berlau provides a much needed and startling expose about how the environmental movement with its radical, shortsighted eco-activists has actually helped amplify the dangers of natural disasters and destroyed the lives and property of millions of Americans.

As Berlau writes, "America . . . is still mighty prosperous, but environmentalism is putting us on the brink of danger as well. As technology after technology that our grandparents put in place is being banned, and new technologies never even come to market, we risk a public-health disaster. Environmentalists have promoted all sorts of doomsday scenarios about population explosions and massive cancer crises from pesticides that have been shown to be false. But now, because we have done away with so many useful products based on those scares, we are in danger of an old-fashion doomsday returning, because we've lost what protected us from the wrath of nature. Indeed, as we will see throughout this book, public health hazards caused by environmental policies are already on the scene."

I think we know from which side of the fence this reviewer comes from. Equally, Jerry Saperstein's review provides the climate change skeptic view.

John Berlau has a mesage that must not be ignored: environmentalism - and environmentalists - are hazardous to your health and safety. Far from being a crackpot, Berlau exposes leading environmentalists for the crackpots, often dishonest crackpots, they are. More importantly, more shockingly, Berlau patiently explains in detail just how environmentalism, often based on pseudo-science or outright falsity, is killing people or subjecting them to unnecessary danger.

Everyday, children in Africa and other places die from malaria and other preventable diseases - because of the zeal of so-called environmentalists in insisting on a ban of DDT. DDT has never been proven to cause disease in humans or to be a danger to animals in normal amounts, but its effectiveness in combatting mosquito-borne diseases is unquestioned. In fact, some environmentalists may actually see the untold thousands of preventable deaths as a blessing, helping to keep the Earth's population under control.

In the United States, well over a million schoolchildren and millions of adults are put at risk because environmentalists - based on the findings of a fake doctor - have forced asbestos out of the marketplace. No fireproofing as effective as asbestos has been found. In fact, had asbestos been used, the World Trade Center towers might not have collapsed or at least would have stood longer, preventing the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands.

Misguided, uninformed environmentalists are changing the shape of the world through their crusade in behalf of "nature". Except the nature of the environmentalists "nature" is an illusion. For example, Berlau recounts that the American Indian reshaped North America in the 13,000 or so years before the Europeans arrived. The treeless Great Plains are a result of Indians tampering with "nature" for their own survival. Likewise, Berlau explains how America is now more heavily forested than it was hundreds of years ago - and that this may not be an entirely good thing.

Berlau is not a crank in any sense of the word, though is cannot be doubted that the environmentalists and their fellow-travelers will shortly subject him to their slime machine. What the environmentalists won't talk about is the racism of John Muir, a founder of the Sierra Club or their own rather frightening attitudes toward the need to control population by whatever means necessary.

Berlau painstakingly documents each of his assertions. Al Gore, by the way, is provably a major prevaricator on the environment.

Author Berlau surveys a wide swath of American life in this expose: from how environmentalists are responsible for much of the Hurricane Katrina damage to New Orleans because of their opposition to flood gates to the real rationale for enviro campaigns against automobiles and accessible woodlands.

Environmentalists are not your friends. And environmentalists are certainly less than honest in their campaigns to dramatically change your life and freedoms. John Berlau has done the nation, if not the world, a valuable service in exposing the environmentalist movement. (His well researched background briefs on some of the leaders of the movement are worth well more than the price of the book - you will not believe that the media takes some of these people seriously after reading their biographies and philosophies.)

This is definitely a "wake-up" and highly recommended.

You could not make it up. Whilst we would certainly not recommend buying this book if you do use the above link as it will certainly not be going into our new and improved bookstore with 26 recommended texts now listed ;-)

Calling John Berlau an award winning journalist is just plain crap. He won the Sandy Hume Award. That's for young journalists. It is about on the same level as a Boy Scout Merit Badge.

But let's get to Eco-Freaks. Berlau has no scientific training and it shows. This book is a combination of handwaving and the oil industry manifesto put forth by Berlau's employer, the Competitive Enterprise Institute.

Berlau claims there's no global warming. I wonder if he'd consent to a debate with Stephen Hawking, who says there is?

That would be an interesting debate. Books like Hawking's A Brief History of Time will be read for many years, but you will be finding copies of Eco Freaks on the 99 cent table at Wal-Mart any day now!

Andrew Langer must be in another pitched battle with Ilena Rosenthal. Usually he defends any attack on Berlau within a matter of hours either at the source or on his blog.

The oil and tobacco industry tag team is interesting, one of them, say Brooke Oberwetter, comes out. People attack her, and then the likes of Langer, Myron Ebell, Marlo Lewis and so on rush out to defend.

I'm glad the majority of people are not fooled by this crap.

I also agree that a debate between Berlau and Hawking over global warming would expose Berlau for the charlatan that he is, so it will simply never happen!!

My peeve for literally years has been the lack of good information on the bad people in our communities.

So I did something about it.

I created the website www.religiousfreedomwatch.org

It has been out there for some time but given the sorry state of the world and the ever growing number of terrorists on every corner I thought I would let you know about it.

Hardly a day goes by that it is not voted either the most useful or the most ethical site on the internet.

If you wonder if the new girl at your office is a Jihad cell extremist, this site will tell you.

You know that guy, you always seem to see at the market? Is it possible he is a child molestor? Well, this site will tell you. Why not look him up just to be sure?

Don't be surprised if I tell you this site is the one used by the FBI, CIA and Homeland Security as well as media to check things. Major airlines express thanks daily that we are there to keep the next group of 9-11 suicide Muslims off their flights. Even though I think religious freedom is important this whole business of Extreme Jihadist Islam is one of the major issues we are facing in the 21st century. I am trying to do something about it!

Now this site is free and it always will be. My company is American Coast Title and it is very profitable. We pay all of the fees for this site and keep it up to date. Not long ago the site helped a special task force capture wanted terrorist and fugitive bomb maker and grave robber Keith Henson!

Did you know that some of these terrorist types are also depraved sexually? Just look at Carnegie Mellon professor Dave Touretzky. He does some kind of experiments using sex toys. The site will give you the details of orders he places using the University’s own letterhead! He is a good friend of Patricia Greenway who makes documentary hate films. Word is she has been involved in some of his sexual experimenting. Last but not least is Pamela Lichtenwalner. She is a girl’s gym coach in San Diego. She teaches sexual education classes. Word is that she has used a film made by Greenway and a text written by Touretzky. But did it have the School Board approval? This is something, we want to find out!

It is a matter of public record that Extreme Jihadist Islam promotes perversion. A successful terrorist is guaranteed a special house in Islamic heaven with 172 beautiful virgins. It was with the help of the www.religiousfreedomwatch.org site that the FBI learned that the 9-11 suicide Muslims were getting prostitutes the night before. Just remember that this is a free community service and that the site will never ask for a donation.

I do need your help but I will pay for it.

This is my problem and it is a big one! A bunch of Indonesians are attacking me. I am offering a substantial reward, paid once again by the company, for your help in finding and stopping these zealots.

You can see the details on the reward section of the site. You can also email me at jphillips@actfortitle.com or also mlundgren@actfortitle.com or also dhatchett@actfortitle.com or also fberriz@actfortitle.com or also ccelaya@actfortitle.com or also cbryant@actfortitle.com or also or also nvong@actfortitle.com or also the actual reward email itself reward5000@earthlink.net

Help us stop these guys and put some clean cash in your pocket!

Joel PhillipsPUBLISHER of www.religiousfreedomwatch.org and OWNER of American Coast Title

By the way professionals in my industry or any other for that reason are free to contact me if they do not believe that I am the one who put up this site as a free public community resource!!

The underwriter of American Coast Title is Stewart Title. They support this 100% in particular the part about the need to put Extreme Jihad Islam under full government control which of course includes expulsion and special lockdowns.

Our world is in crisis - great post - thanks for your insight - together we can save our planet so future generations can enjoy it too!Thanks!P. Lanet IIIConcerned Earth DwellerIs Global Warming A Scam...? Want to learn more?www.iKnowAboutit.com/Global_Warming

Interesting information on ""Eco-Freaks": The 2% fight back" This theme serves to educate people in their daily life, thanks to people like you we have more knowledge about this important issue, and I want to read an article about Negocio Rentable because I need to start a business

About me

This blog is written by Professor Rob Elliott, an academic economist, with an interest in all things international and environmental..I am currently a Professor of International and Environmental Economics at the University of Birmingham..Find me at my homepage.

This weeks read

Following the recent workshop on the "Economics of the Stern Review" and the fuss caused by the "great global warming swindle" this book represents an excellent introduction to the topic. Chapter 6 is the chapter it all hinges upon.